Published: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 8:51 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 8:51 p.m.

Two new pocket parks and streetscape improvements are planned for downtown Duncan.

Town council recently gave its nod to the enhancements following a series of planning sessions designed to get input from the public and downtown business owners.

Sherry Barrett, program associate for Upstate Forever, said the group identified Duncan's downtown as a target area for streetscape improvements, such as bicycle lanes and better street lighting, and for two pocket parks. The nonprofit group promotes sensible growth and protecting places in the Upstate.

Barrett said the planning began a year ago. She said Upstate Forever, through a Mary Black Foundation grant, was able to finance the design portion of the project, which she said could take about 10 years to fully implement.

"What our first impression was, and still is, is that we could make the community more walkable and more attractive to bicyclists and others who want to enjoy Duncan's downtown," Barrett said. "A lot of people walk along Main Street, and if we can make it more attractive and increase opportunities for active living, we think that will greatly improve the quality of life of those who live and work there."

Upstate Forever and the town held two design charrettes, where people were asked to give input. Stewart designers created a plan, which can be amended, that includes a new School Street pocket park, at 150 Leonard St., a pocket park directly in front of Town Hall, and streetscape improvements.

Barrett said since there is an existing building, formerly used as the county health department, on the School Street property, that project will be the top priority as the town works with Spartanburg School District 5 sports and activities council. District 5 owns the building.

Barrett said the building is used for youth sports sign-ups, equipment storage and office space.

"It's a fairly flexible space, and what we'd like to have is a pavilion with a trellis over an elevated stage to create an area that could be used as a performance venue," Barrett said. "It could also be used for impromptu plays, but there's a lot of activity on site because of the youth that come through there, so we wanted an informal place where people or families could come to relax."

The plans show a small wall that encloses the park on one side, and rocking chairs and removable swings at both ends of the park. There is a small water fountain in the park and a place where student art can be displayed.

The Town Hall park would begin after the School Street Park is complete and as funding comes available, Barrett said. The Town Hall Park also has a trellis, a fountain with raised seating and a fountain plaza that provides seating surrounded by trees and shrubs. The park includes a central courtyard with brick and concrete pavers with chairs, and tables with umbrellas.

According to the plans, the School Street Park would cost about $240,530, and the Town Hall Park is estimated at $209,355.

Barrett said the streetscape improvements, estimated at $1 million, include new wider sidewalks, and "bump outs" or islands for street trees and landscaping. New benches, trash receptacles, planters and signs would be placed on Main Street with new off-street parking with landscaping and a fence buffer near the railroad tracks. Sharrows, or share the road arrows, will be painted on Main Street so bicyclists easily can share the road with motorists.

Barrett said the implementation of the design plan hinges on fundraising and grant opportunities. She said Upstate Forever will help the town identify active living grants.

So far, Barrett said there has been no push back from the community on the plans.

The Mary Black Foundation, through Upstate Forever, contributed $7,000 toward the design plans; the town contributed $2,500 and private individuals gave $2,500.

<p>Two new pocket parks and streetscape improvements are planned for downtown Duncan. </p><p>Town council recently gave its nod to the enhancements following a series of planning sessions designed to get input from the public and downtown business owners. </p><p>Sherry Barrett, program associate for Upstate Forever, said the group identified Duncan's downtown as a target area for streetscape improvements, such as bicycle lanes and better street lighting, and for two pocket parks. The nonprofit group promotes sensible growth and protecting places in the Upstate.</p><p>Barrett said the planning began a year ago. She said Upstate Forever, through a Mary Black Foundation grant, was able to finance the design portion of the project, which she said could take about 10 years to fully implement. </p><p>"What our first impression was, and still is, is that we could make the community more walkable and more attractive to bicyclists and others who want to enjoy Duncan's downtown," Barrett said. "A lot of people walk along Main Street, and if we can make it more attractive and increase opportunities for active living, we think that will greatly improve the quality of life of those who live and work there."</p><p>Upstate Forever and the town held two design charrettes, where people were asked to give input. Stewart designers created a plan, which can be amended, that includes a new School Street pocket park, at 150 Leonard St., a pocket park directly in front of Town Hall, and streetscape improvements. </p><p>Barrett said since there is an existing building, formerly used as the county health department, on the School Street property, that project will be the top priority as the town works with Spartanburg School District 5 sports and activities council. District 5 owns the building. </p><p>Barrett said the building is used for youth sports sign-ups, equipment storage and office space.</p><p>"It's a fairly flexible space, and what we'd like to have is a pavilion with a trellis over an elevated stage to create an area that could be used as a performance venue," Barrett said. "It could also be used for impromptu plays, but there's a lot of activity on site because of the youth that come through there, so we wanted an informal place where people or families could come to relax."</p><p>The plans show a small wall that encloses the park on one side, and rocking chairs and removable swings at both ends of the park. There is a small water fountain in the park and a place where student art can be displayed. </p><p>The Town Hall park would begin after the School Street Park is complete and as funding comes available, Barrett said. The Town Hall Park also has a trellis, a fountain with raised seating and a fountain plaza that provides seating surrounded by trees and shrubs. The park includes a central courtyard with brick and concrete pavers with chairs, and tables with umbrellas. </p><p>According to the plans, the School Street Park would cost about $240,530, and the Town Hall Park is estimated at $209,355.</p><p>Barrett said the streetscape improvements, estimated at $1 million, include new wider sidewalks, and "bump outs" or islands for street trees and landscaping. New benches, trash receptacles, planters and signs would be placed on Main Street with new off-street parking with landscaping and a fence buffer near the railroad tracks. Sharrows, or share the road arrows, will be painted on Main Street so bicyclists easily can share the road with motorists.</p><p>Barrett said the implementation of the design plan hinges on fundraising and grant opportunities. She said Upstate Forever will help the town identify active living grants. </p><p>So far, Barrett said there has been no push back from the community on the plans. </p><p>The Mary Black Foundation, through Upstate Forever, contributed $7,000 toward the design plans; the town contributed $2,500 and private individuals gave $2,500.</p>